The King of Fighters XIII/Mr. Karate

Mr. Karate

In a nutshell

The infamous alter-ego of Takuma appears once again as DLC, having not been seen since SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos. This "EX" version of Takuma plays like a combination of his 2002 self and the eventual successor to his fighting style: Khushnood Butt/Marco Rodriguez from Garou: Mark of the Wolves. While normal Takuma takes a balanced approach, Mr. Karate is pure, unadulterated rushdown. His DPs can be canceled for combo potential, and his fireballs are both invisible and can be dash-canceled from. He lost the ability to use his Hien Shippu Kyaku on the ground, but gained an old friend in the form of his Shoran Kyaku from '98. Your goal will Mr. Karate will be to constantly stay on your opponent, never letting up your pressure for one second until they are broken down, allowing you to go in for absurdly strong combos.

To select Mr. Karate, highlight Takuma and hit the Back/Select button after downloading him.

Move List

Normal Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Standing Light Punch

kof.lp

25

chaincancel cancel

Standing Light Kick

kof.lk

35

low cancel

Standing Heavy Punch

kof.sp

80

cancel

Close Heavy Punch

Close kof.sp

70

cancel

Standing Heavy Kick

kof.sk

70

Crouching Light Punch

d + kof.lp

30

chaincancel cancel

Crouching Light Kick

d + kof.lk

30

low chaincancel cancel

Crouching Heavy Punch

d + kof.sp

70

1st hitbox: cancel

Crouching Heavy Kick

d + kof.sk

80

low softknockdown cancel

Blowback Attack

kof.sp + kof.sk

75

softknockdown specialcancel

Jumping Light Punch

Air kof.lp

Jump: 45
Hop: 40

high

Jumping Light Kick

Air kof.lk

Jump: 45
Hop: 40

high

Jumping Heavy Punch

Air kof.sp

Jump: 72
Hop: 70

high

Jumping Heavy Kick

Air kof.sk

Jump: 70
Hop: 68

high

Jumping Blowback Attack

Air kof.sp + kof.sk

Jump: 90
Hop: 80

softknockdown

Unique Attacks

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Seiken Sandan Tsuki

f + kof.lp

35+23+27

specialcancel

Sokutougeri

f + kof.lk

50

specialcancel

Throw

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Ippon Seoi

f or b + kof.sp or kof.sk (While Close)

100

throw hardknockdown

Special Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Ko'ouken

qcf + p

p : 60
ex : 100

softknockdown
drivecancel

Kokyaku

kof.sp Ko'ouken, then f f

Kohou

dp + p

kof.lp : 60
kof.sp : 60 + 38
ex : 90+71

softknockdown
drivecancel

Braking

kof.sp Kouhou, then kof.lp + kof.lk

Shourankyaku

hcb + k

k : 133
ex : 188

throw
ex : startupinv

Hakyokujin

qcb + p

ex punch : 60
ex dive : 180

High/Mid/Projectile counter
ex : crumple

Zanretsuken

f b f + p

p : 80
ex : 150

softknockdown
drivecancel

Hien Shippukyaku

hcf + k

kof.lk : 60
kof.sk : 50+38
ex : 60+66

aironly
softknockdown

Desperation Moves

Name

Command

Damage

Special Properties (glossary)

Haou Shikouken

f hcf + p

210

softknockdown
startupinv

Ryuuko Ranbu

qcf hcb + p

p : 0+10+16+16+10+16+16+40+100
ex : 367

softknockdown
startupinv
maxcancel

Kyokugen Kohou

qcf qcf + k

60+60+10+10+10+10+10+10+10+10+10

softknockdown
startupinv
maxcancel

Kishin Sanga Geki

qcb hcf + kof.lp + kof.sp

100+370

startupinv hardknockdown

Differences from Takuma

• Standing Heavy Kick has improved startup and recovery, which allows it to link into Standing Heavy Punch on hit.
• j.A, j.C, and j.CD can be canceled into air Hien Shippukyakku.
• His new f+A command normal improves his damage from light hitconfirms, giving Karate better meterless damage options than Takuma.
• Most of Mr. Karate's normal attacks can be superjump canceled on hit.
  • While Karate's normal are still stubby, the improved st.D and hitconfirms into f+A make his standard close game more threatening. However, Karate's fullscreen options are limited to countering projectiles to ultimately get in since he lacks a fireball.
• Has a qcb+P counter move which can be used to counter projectiles or teleport in on the opponent, though it doesn't counter low attacks.
• Has a 'DP' uppercut special. This gives him better reversal and anti-air options than Takuma, and with meter Karate has a Shin Shoryuken DM.
• Lacks an anywhere juggle move. EX Zanretsuken behaves like Ryo's.
• Lacks a fullscreen projectile, though his qcf+P does have a projectile hitbox which can nullify projectiles. In essence, it's an invisible Kouken.
• His command grab a running grab, so it's pretty telegraphed and punishable. When it does hit, it can't be canceled for extra damage, so Karate's grab pales in comparison to Takuma's.

Strategy

Move Analysis

Normal Moves

• Standing Light Punch () - A stubby standing jab. The player can use this as an anti-air against short hops like any Standing . And although the range is short, Mr. Karate's Standing will hit crouching opponents and can be applied when up close to the opponent, though because of his + command normal he can't hold forward and press to pressure with jabs. Chain cancelable.

• Standing Light Kick () - A short shin kick that hits low but lacks range in comparison to other characters' Standing Light Kicks. Mr. Karate can chain Crouching Light Kick into this attack and then combo into + for a knockdown, and this move has more emphasis than it does with Takuma.
  • Moves Mr. Karate forward very slightly when canceled, which allows cr.B cr.B st.B f+A to combo while cr.B cr.B cr.B f+A will not.

• Standing Heavy Punch () - One of Mr. Karate's longest grounded normals that behaves similarly to other Far attacks. Karate's punch connects against crouching opponents and can be canceled into specials and command normals. The horizontal range isn't too long, but it stretched notably further than Standing as Mr. Karate shifts forward before throwing the punch.
  • Linkable off of Standing Heavy Kick: st.D, st.C f+B xx...
  • Controls the low hop space in front of the player and can be a preventive anti-air, though Standing Heavy Kick is a much better anti-air due to it's better speed and hitbox.

• Close Heavy Punch (Close ) - Mr. Karate lacks a Close so this attack functions as his main fast, heavy punishing normal. It has the fastest startup of all of Mr. Karate's normal attacks and can be incorporated into blockstrings such as the near universal Crouching , Close uninterruptable string.
  • Easily combos into either command normal.

• Standing Heavy Kick () - An uncancelable upward kick that covers the vertical space in front of Mr. Karate's head but is severely lacking in horizontal reach. The attack cannot connect against crouching opponents so it can be risky to use as a close-ranged poke/anti-air check. Because of Mr. Karate's better recovery and speed on this move though, it's more reliable as an anti-air and should it hit a grounded opponent, the player can link a normal move such as Standing Heavy Punch or Standing Light Kick afterward for a combo.

• Crouching Light Punch ( + ) - Basic cancelable crouching jab that isn't too important as Mr. Karate can chain and cancel his Crouching . The range on both Crouching Light attacks is identical, though Crouching is slightly more advantageous on block.

• Crouching Light Kick ( + ) - One of the more streamlined Crouching attacks as it chains into itself but also can be canceled on its own. From up close the player can chain two hits together before chaining into Standing Light Kick. Though covertly short-range, this still functions as a fundamental tripguard punish and it function's as Mr. Karate's main low threat.

• Crouching Heavy Punch ( + ) - Short elbow-uppercut. Functions as an anti-air though the horizontal reach is lacking and the player should have more success if the attack hits deep into the opponent. Safer than using his DP, though more likely to trade, so the safest use of this move is in exotic blockstrings. Cancels into specials, DMs, and command normals as per most Crouching s.

• Crouching Heavy Kick ( + ) - Cancelable sweep with a moderate range, meaning this is one of Mr. Karate's better grounded pokes. A choice whiff punisher and tripguard anti-air with longer reach than Couching . Safely cancels into Ko'ouken ( + ) hit or block, though the opponent can Guard Cancel Roll the Crouching to punish a predictable 2-in-1. **Unfortunately his Ko'ouken don't start up fast enough to quickly control the hop space as an anti-air should the opponent hop his sweep.

• Blowback Attack ( + ) - A rather long-reaching step kick. Karate takes a step forward during the startup and the kick itself has a long horizontal hitbox. The player could space the attack so that Mr. Karate's foot hits an aerial opponent, though the startup length and forward movement of the strike must be taken into account. As a grounded poke the range can be used to surprise an approaching opponent as Mr. Karate's normals are generally terse and should the attack whiff or the opponent jump, the player can always whiff cancel into a special to minimize the chance of being punished. Still, this move is a risky whiff and none of Mr. Karate's specials are quick enough to shut down a hop or counterattack without using meter for an unsafe invulnerable move.
  • Cannot be superjump canceled on hit.

• Jumping Light Punch (Air ) - Simple-looking downward chop with a lot of active frames, especially in comparison to the similar-looking Jumping . On top of having a long active window this attack actually has a larger vertical hitbox that can connect against opponents from higher heights. The amount of hitstun dealt is about the same as Jumping , and overall this attack can work better for air-to-ground approaches that will put both players close together.
  • Cancels and combos into Air Hien Shippukyakku.

• Jumping Light Kick (Air ) - Very short-ranged jumping knee attack. The range of this attack is really short in all directions so there aren't many situations or reasons to use this aerial attack over any other. Even though it can cross up, Jumping does so just as well while serving as a good jumping attack should the opponent block or be hit.

• Jumping Heavy Punch (Air ) - Looks like a standard downward jumping punch though the vertical hitbox is shallow and has to connect somewhat deep to actually hit the opponent. Using this as an air-to-ground attack works, though the reach and active duration is inferior to Jumping . Deals more damage and slightly more hitstun than the aforementioned alternative attack.
  • Cancels and combos into Air Hien Shippukyakku.

• Jumping Heavy Kick (Air ) - This jumping kick resembles Ryu's 'Jumping Forward' kick both visually and in utility. The vertical hitbox stretches further out than Jumping and can be used in spacings where range is needed to avoid whiffing an air-to-ground. Jumping or has a deeper vertical hitbox that will hit an opponent earlier in a jump arc, though Jumping also functions from up close as a standard jump-in, though the opponent can more easily anti-air the attack from below.
  • Manages to be an air-to-air attack if the opponent is below Mr. Karate's waist but strong horizonal air-to-airs or anything hitting from above Mr. Karate's waist will beat out this move in the air.
  • Works as a stupidly strong crossup. Karate's hop arc is short but he can still manage to hop over crouching characters characters after a blocked Crouching or go for a crossup from the knockdown from his throw.
  • Cancels into Air Hien Shippukyakku.

• Jumping Blowback Attack (Air + ) - A more horizontally-angled jumping kick. The hitbox reaches more forward than downward though by timing the attack late it can hit crouching opponents. While it can work as both an air-to-air and air-to-ground attack, the active hitbox length is short; using the attack early as an anti-air leaves the player vulnerable to a tripguard punish from a crouching opponent.
  • While the hitbox is godlike overall for air-to-airing and hitting opponents early, Mr. Karate's Jumping Blowback Attack is completely vulnerable to tripguard punishes when it's tossed out preemptively. Jumping Heavy Kick must be used as a jump-in to avoid being tagged by a low from a poor jump-in.

Unique Attacks

• Seiken Sandan Tsuki ( + ) - A three-hit command normal that looks similar to Zanretsuken, though the move isn't a 'ranbu' which means it doesn't suck the opponent in on hit. This move combos from light attacks which allows Mr. Karate to convert a light hitconfirm into a heavier combo than should he have to rely on directly canceling light attacks. This move is surprisingly airtight on block, though the recovery duration should discourage players from whiffing this move.
  • Generally combos into ( + > ) but not into ( + ~ + ) because of spacing.
• Sokutougeri ( + ) - A thick side kick and general blockstring and combo filling move. Sokutougeri only combos from Heavy normals, so stick with using Seiken Sandan Tsuki ( + ) when chaining light attacks. The startup makes this kick too slow to be used safely in footsies, though surprisingly Takuma remains nearly unpunishable if this attack isn't canceled on block as he can only be punished by near-instant DMs like his own Neo Max. One great plus of this property is that Mr. Karate can bait Guard Cancel Rolls by hitconfirming and then stopping once realizing that ( + ) has been blocked.
  • Since Takuma steps forward, he can usually combo into ( + ~ + ) except from maximum range ( for instance, st.D, st.C f+B xx dp+C will whiff ) .

Throw

• Ippon Seoi ( or + or [While Close]) - Causes a hard knockdown that sets up for a filthy ambiguous crossup attempt: Walk or run forward, and then superjump at the opponent with a Jumping Heavy Kick. In the corner and also midscreen, the player could attempt a safejump or empty hop into a meaty low attack.

Special Moves

• Ko'ouken ( + ) - An invisible projectile attack shoots from Mr. Karate's hand, though it doesn't travel fullscreen. The version comes out faster which enables it to combo from light attacks, though its range travels roughly 2/5 of the screen ( or a different way to judge its reach is that it hits about as far as Karate's Standing Blowback Attack ). The only combos from Heavy and Command normals, though its range is extended to just under 1/2 screen. The biggest buff of the heavy Ko'ouken is that it can be canceled into a forward dash on block or hit. This can extend combos or keep Karate closer to the opponent by negating pushback.
  • Both versions cause a soft knockdown on hit, and there's no pushback on a clean hit.
  • Ko'ouken ( + + ) - A very slow 1/2 screen attack that causes a full guard break on block or a crumple on hit. Unfortunately, the attack has huge recovery so even when it causes a guard crush the player may need to use a Super Cancel to get any damage in. This isn't a very abusable move due to the aforementioned requirements, and the opponent should be able to roll or DP the player upon reaction to the move.
• Kouhou ( + ) - A powerful and quite annoying uppercut. DP can be 'braked' to improve the recovery time to extend combos, but the DP itself isn't invulnerable and the braked DP is still unsafe on block. The uppercut is the invulnerable one, and due to it's fast speed it can wreak havoc in the hands of a player with sharp reactions. It's punishable on block, though it recovers quickly if whiffed.
  • The braked Kouhou ( + ~ + ) is more of a launcher, and the DP only juggles against a grounded opponent. It's main use is to convert large damage from + or from a riskier anti-air since DP lacks invulnerability.
  • Kouhou ( + + ) - Fast and invulnerable, though for one meter the player could try using Kyokugen Kohou ( ×2 + ) for more damage. However, it's easier to input a DP ( ) motion than the full DM command so it's easier to react with this move. It also travels further more horizontally and so in certain instances EX Kouhou may connect where Kyokugen Kohou would whiff.
• Shorankyaku ( + ) - A running command grab that travels 1/2 screen. This can't be Drive or Super Canceled on hit for any extra damage, so it doesn't lead into much damage. Mr. Karate stutters for a second before running which is a telltale sign that he's not just running forward and so a seasoned player can pick up on this and neutral hop to punish Mr. Karate's whiffed grab. This special must be used very seldomly or at least only after scaring the opponent into blocking.
  • Shorankyaku ( + + ) - Karate disappears and then appears in front of the opponent before grabbing. While invisible, he cannot be hit so this move can be used to go through pokes or projectiles. It travels fully across the screen, and Mr. Karate will always appear in front of the opponent's current position which can occasionally cause him to teleport backwards should the opponent initially cross him up.
• Hakyoujin ( + ) - A counter move that registers against high, mid, and projectile attacks. Mr. Karate will teleport forward in front of the opponent upon a successful counter. Depending on the move, he may be at a large advantage or end up being punishable. For example, if he counters a slow moving projectile from fullscreen, the opposing player will have recovered in time to punish Karate if he should counter the projectile.
  • Hakyoujin ( + + ) - If Mr. Karate counters a mid or high attack, he'll counterattack with a punch that causes a crumple against a grounded opponent, though it only causes a soft knockdown against an aerial opponent. If he counters a projectile, he'll leap into the air and smash down on the opponent's current position, dealing nice damage. However, this followup can be blocked and punished if the opposing player has recovered before Karate can dunk on them, so it's not too effective from fullscreen where a Haoh Shikouken could punish consistently.
• Zanretsuken ( + ) - Mr. Karate's Zanretsuken doesn't recover as fast as Takuma's so it's unsafe to whiff, but it's primarily a combo tool. Launches the opponent on hit which can be followed up in the corner with a light Kohoh ( File:Sp.gif + ) though the attack can heavily scale combos so it's more suited for near the end of combos.
  • Zanretsuken ( + + ) - Sends the opponent directly upward which allows for midscreen followups.
• Hien Shippukyaku (Air + ) - kick travels horizontally and keeps the opponent in a juggable state and is great for combos such as when adding on additional damage from a j.CD counterhit. The version travels diagonally downward like a divekick and causes a knockback kick on hit which tends to end a combo. Both versions are doable just off the ground by 'Tiger Kneeing' the motion ( + ) though both are really unsafe on block so it's a pretty bad idea outside of combos.
  • Hien Shippukyaku (Air + + ) - Travels horizontally and ends with a second kick which launches the opponent higher on hit, giving the player more height and thus greater followup potential. When 'Tiger Knee'd' this move will whiff on crouchers and it's still unsafe on block.

Desperation Moves

• Haoh Shikouken ( + ) - Big projectile DM. Like the other Art of Fighting Haoh Shokoukens, this fat projectile's main usage is in fireball wars or as the occasional anti-air. This will nullify normal and EX projectiles but clash with DM projectiles, and it can also be beaten with projectile counters/reflectors. It's also punishable on block up close and from further ranges the opponent can roll the projectile and punish so think twice before tossing this out wildly.
• Ryuuko Ranbu ( + ) - Standard ranbu DM. version comes out faster, so stick with it for combos though it does have startup invuln up until the active frames. The ranbu takes longer to come out, but in turn it has more invuln which allows Karate to fly through projectiles and oncoming attacks, or anti-air just as Takuma can.
  • Connects in many instances, and the scaling is better than his other two DMs.
  • Ryuuko Ranbu ( + + ) - Comes out fast and travels forward at a faster rate, all the while making Mr. Karate invincible. Great for tacking on huge damage at the end on combos or for punishing the opponent.
• Kyokugen Kohou (×2 + ) - Vertical uppercut DM. As you may expect, this is a great anti-air and a good reversal choice. The bulk of the damage comes from the first two hits, so to get maximum damage the opponent must be anti-aired somewhat deep. Travels more strictly upwards than ( + + ), though the initial hitbox is pretty big and can even shut down cross-up attempts.
  • Max Cancelable on the first two hits.
• Kishin Sanga Geki ( + + ) - Mr. Karate lunges forward fist-first, traveling roughly 1/3 the screen. Quite easy to combo into, and the resulting damage can be enormous. On its own, this Neo Max can work as a reversal or quick punish/anti-air, though keep in mind the close range requirements and know that Mr. Karate can be punished on block. A possible reference to Raoh.

Combos

0% Drive

0 Bar

Team Order

1st position

Pros

Cons

2nd position

Pros

Cons

3rd position

Pros

Cons